Gently Moving…
Where have I been you may ask….
I hope the festivities were enjoyed by one and all, Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view, I didn’t even put up a Christmas tree. The less said about that the better. Instead I dried oranges, put up garlands, wreaths and cards, this being the only feat I could snatch from time.
I am happy to close the door firmly on last year, a year that ended in radio silence and very little in the way of creating and being in the moment. Life simply took over and other responsibilities were up front leaving me in a state of being time critical, high priority, urgent and dependent. Something had to give.
As dramatic as that may sound, I am moving forward, all be it gently and as I slowly step into 2024 with a head full of reflections.
It is this that has seen me slither pieces of time to create projects for the coming seasons.
One calculated idea is already firmly down on paper, seeds in hand, compost at the ready and pots washed.
This is where it all begins…..
Potager
Sweet Peas
A collection of sweet peas put together to create a posy full of the sweetest scented peas in curated clusters of:
Marshmallow, Blush, Rosy Berry, Frosted Chalk and Periwinkle.
AND I promise to take you with me for the whole journey, from the very beginning to the finish line. Where they will be available to buy in autumn, give me your pinky…
Sweet Pea Leamington
I have sown many other sweet pea varieties last autumn and these are bursting to get out into the baron ground. However, they must wait a little longer, who knows what this unpredictable weather will churn out in the coming weeks.
Amongst those sown is this gorgeous periwinkle shaded sweet pea named Leamington. Now available for you to grow. It created the most spectacular back drop last year and gave posy after posy to fill my home.
In between those days of lost and found I have been quietly adding seeds to the Potager Store. With such beauty to be grown each year there would never be a year without flowers around this humble plot of land. That simply would be unthinkable, so I have shared my favourites with you all from last year and beyond.
The loveable annual Phlox of Cherry Caramel, Blushing Bride, Creme Brûlée and Sugar stars are all waiting for you to sow this coming spring. A flower that I simply would not be without when creating bouquets and vases. All four favourites are available now.
Phlox Drummondii Seeds
I am currently up to my neck in photo cards, listings and seeds. A full audit is under way and the counting of more seeds is being prepared. There are new boxed collections of flowers piled high on the table that are designed to be grown together and picked together. Simple yet beautiful all in one satisfying clump in your flower bed.
New Seed Collections
As the yearly spreadsheet of seeds names, breeders and dates of sowings all begin to fill up, autumn sown hardy annuals already added. This gives me that much needed head start to get this idea of growing sweet peas in an abundance off the ground. Like the first daffodil or tulip, sweet peas are desperately welcome when the flowering begins. There is nothing finer than picking a fist full of heavy scented peas to fill vase after vase for the home. This small yet mighty project of mine excites me in enormous measures and sowing each collection begins this weekend. Be sure to follow over in stories on instagram.
With all this hope for future flowers it is only right that I share them, once you sow that seed, nurture that seed, watch it grow, cut and arrange, it stays with you forever. No matter how big or small your growing patch is, try it! But do know that this process comes with an addiction warning, cram packed with weaknesses and flower cravings!
With the Potager Store filling up be sure to pop on, in and amongst the candles and soaps on offer. There are even a few sweet peas available to sow now.
On that note I will leave you to make lists, dream up flower combinations and plan for the coming spring.
Love Jane
x
Tactile and beautiful Terracotta Cane Toppers to use on your flower supports